International Student Transfer Procedures

General Process

If you are currently in the United States in ACTIVE F-1 status, you can transfer your SEVIS record to Fordham. 

In addition to submitting the AFCOE, supporting financial documentation, and passport name page you should also submit a completed Transfer Form. Please click here to access International Student Transfer Form.

OIS recommends that if you are indeed transferring your SEVIS record, you should notify your current institution’s DSO first. They will give you the necessary advice on how to transfer your SEVIS record to Fordham University. The DSO will likely request copies of your Fordham admission letter, your transfer release date, and the SEVIS School Code for Fordham. The appropriate school code, based on campus, can be found on the Transfer Form.

You should complete the top section of the Transfer Form, and then send it to the International Student Advisor at your old school. They should complete the rest of the form. We prefer that they give the completed Transfer Form back to you, and you submit it to us with the rest of your application. However, it is also acceptable for the school to email us at: [email protected]

If you will stay in the U.S. before attending Fordham

You will request a SEVIS transfer from your current school. You will also submit appropriate AFCOE and supporting admission documents. OIS will review admission cases and issue I-20s within 1-2 weeks of the SEVIS release date. You can start your studies even if you have not yet received your I-20, but please notify us about your SEVIS release date so that we can keep you on our radar.

If you are traveling overseas before attending Fordham 

In most cases, you should use Fordham’s I-20 when you re-enter the U.S. You should NOT use the I-20 from your previous school. If you have a valid/not expired F-1 visa stamp which was previously used to enter the U.S., you normally do not need to get a new F-1 stamp, even if the current visa stamp mentions the name of your former school. If your F-1 visa has expired/is not valid, then you will need to make arrangements to apply for a new visa at a US embassy or consulate while you are outside the US.